The GAiN Europe network project Fathers was screened this week at the second UK Christian Film Festival (UKCFF). 

Submissions to the festival came from all over the world, including Brazil, England, the USA, Thailand, Japan, Sweden, Spain, and Switzerland. The jury, made up of a collective of Christian media professionals, published earlier in October the list of 38 Official Selections. Then, only 26 movies were chosen to be screened during the festival, on 15–17 November, at Whirled Cinema in Brixton. Fathers, as well as Rico, a short film produced by the South American Division, were screened and delighted the viewers. Awards will be announced online this Saturday.

Fathers, a warm-hearted documentary showing how different yet similar fathers are all over the world, was screened on Tuesday, 16 November. "The films submitted this year were of excellent quality with a real creative force on display,” said Paul Syrstad, filmmaker and event organizer. “Some of these films, both documentary and narrative, tackle extremely heavy themes, and they do so with real tact and grace… We love the wide variety of styles this year." 

A viewer at the festival also shared his enthusiasm, adding that “Fathers counteracts a lot of negative messages out in the world right now about men and their role in society” with stories that are relevant and easily relatable.

The documentary is the brainchild of the GAiN Europe network and was directed by Adrian Duré, a producer and filmmaker at Hope Media Europe. In the last two years, the film received over ten recognitions and one award at the Religion Today Film Festival 2019. “The most satisfying part is to see the potential we have as a network,” said Duré. “To see that with clear goals and a clear work structure, it is possible to produce a high-quality film production, with a relevant [sic] content and a real low-budget.”

Producing the documentary involved an international team, with contributions ranging from Cuba to Australia. “The intercultural component is the essence of the network film productions,” reflected Duré. “Fathers was recorded and produced in six different countries by six different production teams. This is a huge logistic challenge, especially when working remotely. But, with clear communication and trust in your production teams, everything is possible!”

When asked what is the main message he wants viewers to remember, Duré replied, “Being a father is a gift from God. But it’s also a ‘school’ and a great opportunity to learn. It does not matter if we live in Asia, South America, Africa, or Europe. The values in our families are the same.”

This article was originally published on the Trans-European Division’s news site